The cervical cancer/HPV vaccine?

Question

I am 26 and planned on getting this vaccine. However, the other day I was told cervical cancer is a std. So, if Im in a monogomous relationship, I dont need this. I think I'll get it anyway, just in case. But, is cervical cancer really an std and/or can it only be contracted if you have a std?

Answer 1

Cervical cancer is NOT an STD. HPV (an STD) is responsible for causing more than 90% of cervical cancer cases, but there is that remaining 10% or so that is not caused by HPV.

The new vaccine covers HPV types 16 & 18, which together cause about 70% of cervical cancer cases.

It's probably a good idea that you get it anyway. I know you say you are in a monogamous relationship right now but things happen. Men cheat (and so do women) and couples break up all the time. You'd hate for your guy to cheat on you and bring you home this virus. And, you guys might never break up, but if you do at least you will be covered! Good luck!

Check out this site for more information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cervical_cancer

Answer 2

Cervical cancer is usually (not always) caused by certain strains of the HPV virus, which are sexually transmitted. Cervical cancer isn't technically an STD, but it's a side-effect of being exposed to those particular HPV strains, which can cause changes in cervical cells. The vaccine protects against two strains of HPV that together cause 70% of all cervical cancers.

If you already have either of those strains it won't remove them, it only protects you from being exposed to them in the future. So if you're in a monogamous relationship and know you will never have another partner, there would be no use in getting the vaccine (unless you've been using condoms with that partner, in which case there's still a slight possibility that they have one of the strains and you haven't caught it yet).

However, if there's any possibility at all that you'll ever have sex with someone else, then the vaccine would protect you against future exposure to the HPV that causes cervical cancer.

(Oh and if anyone tries to scare you into not getting the vaccine, you might want to read Quackwatch's "Misconceptions About Immunization" page at http://www.quackwatch.com/03HealthPromotion/immu/immu00.html especially misconception #4 about adverse effects of vaccines.)

Answer 3

I have been waiting for a question like this. NOT ALL CERVICAL CANCERS ARE STD CAUSED. now that thats over every woman should get the vaccine just for that fact. There are different kinds of cervical cancers that the government doesent want you to know about. such as adnocarcinoma a very slow growing cancer that is not std related. simply put a nun could get adnocarcinoma. Hope this Info helps.
Good Luck!

Answer 4

I advocate getting the vaccine. You may be in a monogamous relationship, but to err is human. As a health care worker, I have met several people who, being completely monogamous, acquired HPV and other STDs through their partners' promiscuity &/or "mistakes." Anything that will decrease the chances of developing cancer is a Godsend.
The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is an STD.
Cervical cancer is not an STD.
Having HPV increases your risk of developing cervical cancer.
If you do not acquire HPV, you have a much lower risk of getting cervical cancer.
Genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors also play a role in whether a person will develop cancer.

Answer 5

HPV sometimes turns into cancer. It usually takes a few years, that's why there are now tests to see if you have the HPV virus in your body. Getting the vaccination is probably a good thing to do.

and yes, HPV is the std.

More information about the answer below mine...........
Most cervical tumors are classified as squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma, both of which are associated with persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Although other (rare) types represent less than 5% of all cervical carcinomas, it is necessary that these more unusual tumors be studied in the current era of papillomavirus vaccine development, especially in regions with high incidence of cervical cancer.
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3725/is_200405/ai_n9444918

Answer 6

There are many causes of cervical cancer and cancer is actually a virus. I personally would not have the new vaccine. It is untried and untested on the general public.Iin my opinon giving it to young women it will be interesting to see in 5 years the results.
I always wait to see how new drugs work before jumping in. Maintaing good health, clean sex practices, and keeping the ph of your body normal will help reduce the chances of cervical cancer. Not having a lot of stress in your life helps as it has been proven that stress can bring on cancer. How lowers the immune system. Keep your immune system healthy and check the labels on food. It is not a single approach it is a multifaceted approach that keeps you healthy. I am a cancer survivor.

Answer 7

Cervical cancer is a cancer, not an STD. It's the HPV STD that causes cervical cancer.

Answer 8

Cancer is not in infection. HPV can lead to cervical cancer. put get the vaccine just in case, it wont hurt to have it.

Answer 9

Good question.

Human Papilloma Virus is a virus that is sexually spread. Certain strains of HPV cause cervical cancer. You never have to contract other STDs (HIV, syphilis, chancroid, etc) to get cervical cancer.

Answer 10

At 26 I truely would not worry about it. It is considered an STD because sex can cause it. It isn't technically 'transmitted' The reason that younger girls are being targeted for this vaccine is because they are seeing a vast increase in cases in girls who had an abundance of sex under the age of 22. Basically if you were an 'easy' teenager and often, you run a much higher risk. My old roommate had it and it was from the fact that she was 21 and had 172 partners over the years. You could be monogomous and be 15. If you are having a lot of sex, you are uping your risks. Basically it is like everything nowadays. Instead of telling these little girls to abstain because it can cause this problem, they just create a bandaid for it.

It is listed as an STD because you get it from having sex before a certain age.
Trust me, every woman in my family has died of cancer, literally. Be it breast, uterin, brain, lung, skin.. you name it (oddly not cervical), and I won't get the vaccine. I am 32 and have no need for it now. Too old. If I was going to get cervical cancer, I would have already got it.
These days there are vaccinations for everything. Be careful, you should ONLY be vaccinated against certain things. There are over 104 vaccines that a parent can request for their child. When varricella came out I was against it because it hadn't been around for long and It wasn't proven. Well, now there are all these kids who were vaccinated against chicken pox, coming down with chicken pox! So, now your kid has to have more boosters for it. Geesh, have a chicken pox party and get it over with instead of your 12 yr old coming down with it unexpectantly. I am just saying, be very selective about what vaccinations you get, just because it is new and they suggest it doesn't mean you should get it. Use your discretion. Personally, if I were you at your age... I wouldn't worry about it. This is a new vaccine, they aren't sure of all the side effects, you might be trading a very slight or nonexistent chance of cancer for alzhiemers or heart problems or who knows 20 yrs down the road.
Be careful. Wish you luck. I am terrified of cancer, which is why I do know so much about cervical cancer... I am not afraid of that one because I didn't do anything to up my risk 15-20 yrs ago. I think it is a bunch of hype over simply telling lazy parents to take charge of their wayward daughters. 'Give them this shot and you don't have to worry about this cancer, they can be a slut and you don't have to worry. Give them this other shot and you don't have to worry about pregnancy for 3 months, heres a pack of condoms and your daughter is ready for the nightlife!' Geesh, what every happened to good old fashioned groundings and spankings. Worked for me and everyone I knew.

Sorry, stepping off my soap box... IMHO, I don't think you have anything to worry about and shouldn't get the shot. Even if you did have an 'exciting' teenagehood, it isn't a cure, only a preventative. If you haven't shown it in a PAP you are ok now.

Good Luck!! :)

As a note- my apologees to anyone who got cervical cancer another way. Having early age sex isn't the only way you can get it. But the vaccine was made specifically for girls (not woman) who were a little to sex happy. The enormous increase in cases amoung young girls prompted the vaccine being made. But to clarify, that isn't the ONLY way to get it. If you are highly suseptable to certain strains of cancer and have sex a limited amount of times, that might be enough for you to get it. But for anyone over about 25 to get it, it would be for not.